Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

BigmanPigman

(52,222 posts)
Thu Jan 20, 2022, 05:43 PM Jan 2022

How to reuse your N95 and KN95 masks...

How to Reuse N95, KN95, and Other Disposable Masks
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/how-to-reuse-n95-kn95-and-other-disposable-masks/

"You can re-wear a mask after you have stored it in a paper bag for a few days, according to the CDC and multiple experts we’ve interviewed for our respirator guide. The agency provides a simple strategy for healthcare workers that involves rotating used masks in brown paper bags, a variation of which was employed during the N95 shortage in the early days of the pandemic. The coronavirus has an expected survival time of about 72 hours, so waiting for, say, five to seven days should be enough time for it to be inactivated."

7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
How to reuse your N95 and KN95 masks... (Original Post) BigmanPigman Jan 2022 OP
Thank you. ❤ littlemissmartypants Jan 2022 #1
Someone on the news said you can wear them 25 times BigmanPigman Jan 2022 #3
Saw that Rebl2 Jan 2022 #5
That's if you disinfect with vaporized hydrogen peroxide- not sure how to do that. Nt Fiendish Thingy Jan 2022 #6
I read an article about that BigmanPigman Jan 2022 #7
that's what I do Skittles Jan 2022 #2
Should the bag be left open to prevent mold growth? Throck Jan 2022 #4

BigmanPigman

(52,222 posts)
3. Someone on the news said you can wear them 25 times
Thu Jan 20, 2022, 06:00 PM
Jan 2022

but if you only wear it for a few hours at a time it'll last even longer.

Rebl2

(14,629 posts)
5. Saw that
Thu Jan 20, 2022, 06:21 PM
Jan 2022

too. Personally if I have been someplace where people aren’t wearing masks, I would throw mine away.

BigmanPigman

(52,222 posts)
7. I read an article about that
Thu Jan 20, 2022, 07:38 PM
Jan 2022

and saw a video. You need a special machine. It is for hospital workers who wear them a long time every day.

Skittles

(158,703 posts)
2. that's what I do
Thu Jan 20, 2022, 05:57 PM
Jan 2022

have a few, each in its own paper bag, and I note the date of use on each bag....I make sure there's at least a week between wearings

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Health»How to reuse your N95 and...